Woman Sues Dollar Tree Following Sexual Assault at River Oaks Area Store
May 20 2024 - 2:58PM
Business Wire
‘We got another one:’ complaint alleges three
such assaults within four days
A Houston woman has filed suit against Dollar Tree after she was
sexually assaulted at the company’s River Oaks area store last
December.
Attorneys at Blizzard Greenberg are suing Dollar Tree for
negligence after a shopper was followed and harassed by another
customer, who she later discovered ejaculated on her.
“It is shocking and despicable,” said sexual assault lawyer Anna
Greenberg. “How was a complete stranger able to violate my client
in the middle of a weekday morning? That alone speaks to the fact
Dollar Tree is not maintaining a safe environment for the people
who shop there.”
The plaintiff, identified as M.R. in the lawsuit, was visiting
the Dollar Tree in the River Oaks area with a friend when a man
approached her from behind and began saying sexually explicit
things to her. Disturbed, the women hurried to check out, paid for
a few items and left the store.
According to the lawsuit, as they got into their car, M.R.’s
friend pointed out a white, sticky substance on M.R.’s back, which
turned out to be semen.
The women preserved the evidence and reported the incident to
Dollar Tree and the Houston Police Department. The lawsuit states
the store clerk told the women that this was the third such assault
in four days, shouting “we got another one” to the manager on
duty.
The attorneys allege Dollar Tree creates a dangerous condition
by understaffing its stores, which contributes to their
longstanding history of theft, robbery and other issues with
violent crimes.
“Dollar Tree has a reputation as being an easy target for
criminals,” said Ms. Greenberg. “Rather than addressing their
staffing issues head-on, the company continues to disregard safety
for customers and employees alike.”
Since the assault, M.R. has reported nightmares and high levels
of stress and anxiety. She says she is especially fearful around
men and finds it difficult to shop anywhere without constantly
looking over her shoulder.
The case is M.R. v Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., et al. Cause No.
2024-31829 in Harris County.
About Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC
Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC, is an award-winning national trial
firm with more than 40 years of experience handling complex legal
issues involving pharmaceutical and personal injury cases. For more
information, visit www.blizzardlaw.com.
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Alyssa Woulfe 800-559-4534 Alyssa@androvett.com